Arizona: A Profile of the 48th State

Arizona, admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912, is the 48th state of the United States. Spanning 113,998 square miles, it ranks as the sixth-largest state by area. As of 2025, the state has a population of 7,623,818, making it the 14th most populous state in the country, according to Wikipedia.

Geography and Landscape

Located in the Southwestern United States, Arizona shares borders with Utah to the north, New Mexico to the east, and California and Nevada to the west. To the south, it shares an international border with the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California, per World Atlas. The state’s topography is diverse, featuring a lowest elevation point of 72 feet at the Colorado River near the Mexico border and a highest elevation of 12,638 feet at Humphreys Peak, as noted by Wikipedia.

Government and Political Structure

The state government of Arizona operates with a bicameral legislature consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. As of June 2026, the state’s executive leadership includes Governor Katie Hobbs and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, both Democrats. Arizona is represented in the U.S. Senate by Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. The state’s U.S. House delegation currently consists of six Republicans and three Democrats, according to Wikipedia.

Demographics and Economy

Arizona’s population is concentrated largely in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which serves as the state capital and its largest city. The state’s median household income was reported at $77,300 in 2023. While English is the official language, the state maintains a multilingual environment; as of 2010, approximately 74.1% of the population spoke English, 19.5% spoke Spanish, and 1.9% spoke Navajo, according to Wikipedia.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Statehood Date: February 14, 1912
• Capital: Phoenix
• Total Area: 113,998 square miles
• Population (2025): 7,623,818
• Median Household Income (2023): $77,300

Historical Context

Before achieving statehood, the region was known as the Arizona Territory. Its transition into the Union marked the final state to be admitted among the 48 contiguous United States. Throughout its history, the state has developed through the copper era, the growth of commercial agriculture, and significant population influxes, as documented by Britannica.

Today, Arizona’s economy is supported by various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, livestock, tourism, and retirement services. The state continues to manage its resources and infrastructure, including its extensive transportation networks, to support its ongoing growth and demographic shifts.